CLONENAGH

[xpress4]

I feel like an idiot , but I am having a lot of trouble understanding the system of parishes. My protestant ancestors were born in Clonenagh parish. Now here's where the confusion comes in. In order to search for their record of birth in the first quarter of the 19th century, I would have to search the records of the church of each townland in that parish. Is that right?

If so, does anyone know where I can find a list of the townlands that fall under this parish so that I can conquer them one by one?

Thank you SO much for any help.

Brenda

[aghadowey]

Brenda- Civil parishes are different than religious parishes.
Civil parishes are made up of a collection of townlands.
Each townland does not have a church.
Religious parishes are church boundaries (Roman Catholic and Established- Church of Ireland). If your ancestors were Presbyterian they would have chosen which church they went to- not always the nearest one.

So, start with two main things- what religion and where they lived. Unless you have fairly uncommon names you will probably have difficulty without a townland. Church records often identified members in the records by townland. However, sometimes several families with the same surname will be found in the same townland (my great-great-grandmother came from a townland with 16 other families with the same surname there!).
So, why don't you try posting a message giving names, dates, religion, whatever you do know, what you are wanting to find, etc. and see if other people can help.

[xpress4]

Thank you aghadowey!

Well, the "legend" in the family says that they were from Mountrath, although I have nothing to prove that. The only location reference I've found were references to Queen's  County on records. I'm told they were Episcopalian.

I'll try posting the info I have below like you suggested:

Denis & Bridget Moore are the couple I'm seeking. Denis was born roughly 1814 and Bridget (nee Law) around 1821. They were living in Scotland in 1851 and the census gives "Queens County" as where they were from. Also living with them were Denis' brother Anthony Moore (b. ~1831, Queens County) and Denis' nephew Fenton (b. ~1831, Queens County).

So now I know there were at least three Moore boys of Queens County.

On Denis' second marriage record his father is given as Fenton Moore, butcher. So this would place his father's birth pre 1800.

While combing records for my ancestors I've come up with two records that sure seem like they could/should be related but can't link them yet.

One is for a Denis Moore b. ~1817 who deserted the 77th Foot. This Denis was born "Clonena (as they spelled it), Queens County"

The other record was for a Fenton Moore b. ~1807, Mountrath, Clonena, Queens County and belonged ot the 48th of Foot.

So I have all these fragmented pieces. Surely at least some of these men have a record of their birth somewhere. As my family believes they came from Mountrath and records so far offer Queens County as a birthplace, I was hoping both cases were true.

So then I guess I would need to check the Church of Ireland records for Mountrath? Does anyone know if there are any records online? I live in the U.S.

Many thanks for your help!

Brenda

[aghadowey]

Brenda- I'm a bit confused as you've already posted details of this family in May '06 and mentioned that the Catholic and Church of Ireland church records were checked and nothing found. The Established Church also known as Church of Ireland or what you would call Episcopal.
Have you tried contacting local library or Moores still in area as suggested?

[xpress4]

Hi aghadowey,

Yes, that was in the beginning stages of my research that the Catholic records were checked that was before my grandmother shed light on the religion for me so that was a waste of time. Then I asked an Irish researcher to check Church of Ireland records, but he said that many would need to be checked for Mountrath. He checked some with no result but the periods of time checked didn't encompass the people I was looking for. When I wrote back for clarification, I never heard from him again. I wrote several times at least trying to compensate him for time spent, but no reply. So I didn't think that the research was properly fufilled because of that and began trying to figure it out for myself.

I had written to the local library some time ago but didn't receive a reply. As you suggested, I might try the local Moore's.

Thanks again,
Brenda

[Jack2227]

Breda,

The County Council in Portlaoise should have all records that you need.
Patricia Lynch is the girl there, give her a try.

[xpress4]

Thanks SeanMac, I'll do that! 

Brenda

[Jack2227]

Tenements records from 1850. (Land owners)
Parish of Offerlane (which takes in Mountrath and surrounding areas.)

Badgerhill; Daniel Moore; Land value, £9-15

Churchfield; Bridget Moore; 14 shillings
Churchfield; John Moore; (owned a Forge) £4-5

Clashnamuck; Bridget Moore; £1

Cummer; Patrick Moore; £5
Michael Moore; £17-5

Gash; John Moore; £9-10

Gortnaglogh; Sarah Moore; 5 shillings

Johnsborough; Michael Moore; 5 shillings.

Around Mountrath, the Moore's seem to own a bit of land with Michael being the 'richest' of them, and yet John, who owned a Forge, did'nt seem rich!
Jack

[sargus]

Hi Brenda,

I noticed on your message you have the name Butler.  I am looking for
the Surname Scott in Mountrath but the name Butler also comes into it.
My ancestor James Edmund Scotts mother was Susan Butler and at his marriage in 1840 in Mountrath Church (church of Ireland)  one of the wittnesses was Matthew Butler Scott.  Were your Butlers from here as well. I am from Australia and am having trouble researching Irish ancestors from here.
I believe his wife (Sarah Scott) was born in Mountrath.  The Scotts had Ann
Grove Abbey but cannot find a birth for her (would have been about 1814)

Regards Susanne Lawson